Nelson Weekly Locally Owned and Operated
tuesday 28 March 2017
Butcher retires after 50 years
page 8
Giants cut import
Rotoiti PoweRboat Club Regatta
page 26
Page 22
Families sleep in cars Kate Russell Reporter
kate@nelsonweekly.co.nz
A lack of rental accommodation and emergency housing in Nelson is forcing people to live in a combination of campgrounds, motels, backpackers - and even freedom camping sites.
On Friday, the Salvation Army along with Housing Minister Nick Smith, announced two new emergency homes in Stoke – a three bedroom house which has already been filled, and a six bedroom house that will be ready for occupancy at the start of winter. There is only one other emergency home in Nelson, and Captain
Kenneth Walker of the Salvation Army says it is “not enough”. “We have seen an increasing number of families and individuals seeking our services over the last eight months,” he says. He says they have even seen some people resorting to staying in tents and cars at some of Nelson City Council’s designated free-
dom camping sites over the summer. The first new emergency house in Stoke is being occupied by a solo father and his two children, who had been staying campgrounds, motels and friends places since September last year. Salvation Army community ministries worker Mike Goodman
says, although he couldn’t go into the family’s specific circumstances, they are seeing more and more people forced into leaving their rental homes due to them being sold by the owners. He also says a lack of rentals, more competition for rentals and
SEE PAGE 2
Warriors tame the pain (and mud) Jacob Page Sports Editor
sports@nelsonweekly.co.nz
Defending Wairua Warrior champion Ethan Helliwell embraced the man who beat him, as the Wairua Warrior was decided by seconds on Saturday.
Juliet Kiore does back stroke through the mud at the Wairua Warrior on Saturday. Photo: Evan Barnes/Shuttersport.
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The American pro Brakken Kraker lived up to his billing to topple Ethan and Waimea College’s multisport prodigy, Cameron Jones in a hotly contested elite men’s race over the 12km obstacle course at Happy Valley. Brakken won the race
in one hour 29 minutes and 23 seconds. He won by one minute and 19 seconds over Ethan who had passed Cameron late with the teenager finishing third, a further 55 seconds behind.
SEE PAGE 2
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